Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care is a foundational qualification designed for students who have little or no prior experience or qualifications in spiritual care. Students complete six core units suitable for those working in the field of spiritual care or seeking to enter the field. Units explicitly link theory and practice so that students engage with real world workplace issues and continually address the challenges of working in contemporary spiritual care contexts. The program attains Level 1 in the Spiritual Health Association and Spiritual Care Australia Capability Frameworks.
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care are able to:
- Articulate and evaluate the required foundations and capabilities for the provision of professional spiritual care in both secular and religious contexts.
- Evaluate the values of equity, diversity, and dignity of all persons in relation to spiritual care.
- Demonstrate initial competence and practical awareness of self-care, self-regulation, critical self-reflection and accountability as they relate to spiritual care.
- Participate in elements of continuing education, supervision, and evidence-based research as foundations of professional practice for spiritual care practitioners.
- Develop competence in the key skills required for spiritual care practitioners to work within diverse contexts.
Course structure
The Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care consists of 72 points.
| Course Structure | Unit type | Points |
|
Program 1: (through Uniting College of Leadership and Theology) |
||
| SC8001 Spirituality & Spiritual Care | Core | 12 |
| SC8002 Spiritual Care in Practice | Core | 12 |
| SC8003 Trauma-informed Spiritual Care | Core | 12 |
| SC8004 Grief, Loss, Dying & Death | Core | 12 |
| SC8005 Self-care & Rituals | Core | 12 |
| SC8006 Ethical Spiritual Care | Core | 12 |
|
Program 2: (through Pilgrim Theological College) |
||
| DP8011P Spiritual Care: Independent Practitioner OR DP9031P Spiritual Care: Senior Practitioner |
Core | 12 |
| DS8021P Spiritual Care: Ritual, Meaning and Reflective Practice | Core | 12 |
| DP9041P Spiritual Care: Trauma and Moral Injury | Elective | 12 |
| DP9051P Spiritual Care: Grief and Conflict | Elective | 12 |
| DP9061P Therapeutic Pastoral Theology and CPE | Elective | 12 |
| DP9071P Care at Death’s Door | Elective | 12 |
| DP9072P Care in a Grieving Church | Elective | 12 |
| DP8600P Life Abundantly in Christ: An Introduction to Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Psychology for Ministry Practice | Elective | 24 |
| DP8500P Theology of Pastoral Care | Elective | 24 |
| CP9100Z Clinical Pastoral Education Level 1 | Elective | 48 |
| CP9273Z Clinical Pastoral Education Level 2 | Elective | 48 |
| CP9170Z Clinical Pastoral Education (Special Focus) | Elective | 48 |
Locations and modes
Uniting Church in AustraliaParkville VICClassroom, Mixed and Online modes
Uniting Church in AustraliaBrooklyn Park SAClassroom, Mixed and Online modes
Duration
The Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care may only be taken part-time for admissions in 2026.
| Minimum duration | 6 months |
| Maximum part-time | 2 years |
Graduate pathways
- Graduate Diploma in Pastoral and Spiritual Care
- Master of Pastoral and Spiritual Care
Admission criteria
An undergraduate degree or 5 years relevant work experience.
Probationary admission is not available.
Credit
Credit of up to 36 points may be granted towards this award.
Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.
Fee summary
The Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care requires completion of 72 points (6 non-standard postgraduate units).
Fees for 2027 are $1,794 per unit or $10,764 for the full course.
Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.